How to Create a Nutrition Label in 3 Steps

Creating a professional, FDA-compliant nutrition facts label doesn't require expensive software or nutrition expertise. This guide walks you through the entire process—from gathering your nutritional data to downloading your finished label.

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Before You Start: Gather Your Nutritional Data

To create an accurate nutrition label, you'll need nutritional values for your product per serving. Here's how to get them:

Option 1: Calculate from Recipe

If you're labeling a recipe, calculate nutrition by:

  1. Finding nutrient data for each ingredient (use USDA FoodData Central—it's free)
  2. Adding up nutrients for the entire recipe
  3. Dividing by the number of servings

Option 2: Use Ingredient Specifications

For packaged ingredients, manufacturer specification sheets provide exact nutrient values. Use these for highest accuracy with commercial ingredients.

Option 3: Laboratory Analysis

For products requiring precise values—especially those making nutrient claims or entering major retail—laboratory analysis provides certified accuracy. Testing typically costs $100-500.

1

Enter Serving Information

Every nutrition label starts with serving size and servings per container.

Choosing Serving Size

Your serving size should reflect a Reference Amount Customarily Consumed (RACC)—standardized amounts the FDA defines based on typical eating habits.

Examples of RACCs:

  • Bread: 50g (about 1 slice)
  • Crackers: 30g
  • Ice cream: 2/3 cup (previously 1/2 cup)
  • Beverages: 12 fl oz
  • Soup: 245g (about 1 cup)

Enter your serving in household measures (cups, pieces, tablespoons) with the metric equivalent in parentheses.

Example: "1 cup (228g)" or "3 cookies (34g)"

Servings Per Container

State the number of servings in your package. Use "about X" if servings vary slightly. Products with 2-3 servings that could reasonably be consumed in one sitting may require a dual-column label.

2

Input Nutrient Values

Enter the amount of each nutrient per serving (not per package).

Required Nutrients

Enter values for all mandatory nutrients:

  • Calories — In kilocalories
  • Total Fat — In grams
  • Saturated Fat, Trans Fat — In grams
  • Cholesterol, Sodium — In mg
  • Total Carbohydrate — In grams
  • Dietary Fiber — In grams
  • Total Sugars, Added Sugars — In grams
  • Protein — In grams
  • Vitamin D — In mcg
  • Calcium, Iron, Potassium — In mg

Percent Daily Values are calculated automatically based on FDA reference amounts.

Zero Values

If a nutrient is zero, enter "0." FDA requires listing all mandatory nutrients even if the amount is zero.

3

Select Format and Download

Choose Your Label Format

Select the format that fits your packaging:

FormatUse When
Standard VerticalDefault choice for most packages
TabularHorizontal space available, limited vertical
Dual ColumnProducts typically consumed in one sitting
LinearVery small packages (under 12 sq in)
BilingualProducts for bilingual markets

Preview and Download

  1. 1Click "Generate Label" to preview
  2. 2Verify all values display correctly
  3. 3Download as PNG (for web/digital) or PDF (for print)
  4. 4Use label in your packaging design

Tips for Accurate Labels

Verify Your Math

Double-check calculations, especially when scaling recipes. Small errors multiply.

Account for Cooking

Some nutrients change with cooking. Raw ingredient data may not reflect final product nutrition.

Round Correctly

FDA has specific rounding rules (our generator handles this, but verify source data).

Update When Recipes Change

Any recipe modification may require a new label.

Ready to Create Your Label?

You have everything you need. Generate your FDA-compliant nutrition label now—free, no signup required.

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